Suspected typhoid claims lives of 3 children in Odisha

Updated: Sunday, July 13, 2014, 14:22 [IST]

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Koraput (Odisha), July 13: Three children of a family have died of suspected typhoid and several people affected with fever at a village in Odisha's Koraput district in less than a week, officials said on Sunday.

A team of health officials, led by chief district medical officer (CDMO) of Koraput Laxmi Dhar Kabi, visited Tunpar in Laxmipur block village yesterday to take stock of the situation. Official sources said while 10-year-old son of Seema Saunta succumbed to the mystery disease on Monday, his seven-year-old daughter died on Tuesday and the disease claimed Saunta's 15-year-old daughter on Thursday.

Officials said medical teams from Koraput and Laxmipur have rushed to Tunpar and are examining patients and treating them at villages. Around 16 patients have been admitted to Laxmipur and Koraput hospitals. "We suspect the villagers are down with typhoid. Medicines are being given and blood samples of 60 villagers collected for laboratory test.

The situation is being closely monitored by our health staff and it is under control," the CDMO said. Situated at a distance of 90 km from here, one has to trek around two km to reach Tunpar, which houses around 30 tribal families. Consumption of polluted stream water could be reason for outbreak of the disease, official sources said.

Admitting that the villagers live in unhygienic conditions and the village lacks safe drinking water facility, additional block development officer (Laxmipur) Bhagaban Gouda, who visited Tunpar on Friday, said, "Soon a well will be dug at the village and residents are being made aware to maintain a hygienic lifestyle."